Staff
Prayer and Support – Tornadoes in the South and Midwest
stacey : April 4, 2023 4:40 pm : Stacey Gagne, Staff PagesA series of tornadoes moved through Mississippi on March 24th and resulted in the loss of lives, immense damage and destruction to communities across the state. Another weekend of tornadoes from March 31 thru April 1st has impacted The Mississippi River Valley region with storm damage reported all the way from Wisconsin to Delaware. Please join us in prayer for those that have been impacted by the storms as well as the local first responders, churches, and volunteers assisting with recovery and support.
There are organizations sharing opportunities to contribute toward relief work or to volunteer. We will update the list below as we receive details.
Samaritans Purse: Volunteers are working in Rolling Fork and in Amory – locations on the east and west sides of Mississippi. Teams are helping in Jesus’ Name tarping damaged roofs, cutting up fallen or damaged trees, and clearing debris from yards and homes. They have also now deployed to Little Rock, Arkansas; Covington, Tennessee and Sullivan County, Indiana. There are opportunities to volunteer or provide financial support.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are working alongside of Samaritans Purse volunteer teams. They will be offering emotional and spiritual care to residents in these devastated communities. They’ve also deployed Mobile Ministry Centers in each town providing chaplains a quiet place to pray, share God’s love and comfort to those who need it. Please pray for these teams to have insight and wisdom from the Lord as they care for individuals. Financial support is also needed.
The Salvation Army has mobilized teams to assess the damage and to begin distributing meals, snacks, and water to survivors and first responders. They also have staff offering emotional and spiritual care. Giving Opportunities are Available
Light Reflection-Psalm 16:9 to 11-Resurrection Prophecy
john : April 4, 2023 4:37 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 16:9 to 11.
David wrote, “My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
David saw hope beyond the grave because of this prophetic truth. God’s faithful one would not see decay. This prophecy came to light when Jesus rose from the dead.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter referred to this Psalm to apply it to Jesus. Acts 2:31 says, “Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” Our hope for life beyond the grave flows from the reality that Jesus rose from the dead.
This Light Reflection inspires us to rejoice in Jesus as our living hope in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Walking in Victory
john : April 4, 2023 4:33 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is walking in victory.
Following Jesus is the pathway to victory. His way leads to the triumph of mercy over judgement. His way leads to the triumph of love over hatred. His way leads to the triumph of life over death. When we follow Jesus with a faithful heart, we live with His resurrection power.
Yes, there will be times of trouble, but we can be encouraged by the light of the Gospel to overcome the darkness. The grave of Jesus is empty, so that our lives can be filled with His Presence.
In light of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and the resurrection of the saints, First Corinthians 15:54 exclaims, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” And verse 57 says, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Walking in Victory is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Happy Palm Sunday!
Song Title | Artist | Album | Year |
6AM | |||
What A Surprise (feat. Pat Barrett) | Kirby Kaple | Let It Be So – EP | 2021 |
Joy to the World-The King Is Coming | Christy Nockels | The Thrill of Hope | 2016 |
What Joy Is Found | Jeremy Riddle | Full Attention | 2007 |
Praises Be Sung (Hosanna) | Victory Worship | Hope Has Come | 2019 |
All Hail the King | Mission Worship | Single | 2022 |
Come Adore the Humble King | Matt Boswell & Matt Papa | His Mercy Is More | 2019 |
Hosanna (Be Lifted Higher) | Covenant Worship | Never Going Back | 2010 |
Son of David (feat. Brandon Lake) | Ryan Ellis | Ryan Ellis | 2022 |
Here Comes Heaven | Elevation Worship | Hallelujah Here Below | 2018 |
King of Heaven | Mack Brock | Covered – EP | 2019 |
Crown Him with Many Crowns | Shane & Shane | Hymns, Vol. 2 | 2019 |
Come to Save Us | All Sons & Daughters | Majesty In a Manger | 2016 |
He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) | Meredith Andrews | (single) | 2009 |
7AM | |||
LION (feat. Chris Brown & Brandon Lake) | Elevation Worship | LION | 2022 |
King Jesus (Live) | Brooke Ligertwood | SEVEN (Live) | 2022 |
All Hail King Jesus | Jeremy Riddle | More | 2017 |
Hosanna (feat. Steffany Gretzinger) | Ben Cantelon | Single | 2021 |
King Jesus (Live) | Matt Redman | Let There Be Wonder (Live) | 2020 |
Son Of Heaven | Brandon Lake | House Of Miracles | 2020 |
High King of Heaven / Jesus We Love You (Live) | Paul McClure & Hannah McClure | Christmas Morning (Live) | 2020 |
All Hail the King | Vertical Worship | Bright Faith Bold Future | 2018 |
Hosanna in the Deep | Brenton Brown | Single | 2017 |
Prepare The Way | Jeremy Riddle | The Now And Not Yet | 2009 |
8AM | |||
Hosanna | Hillsong United | All Of The Above | 2006 |
Come Worship the King (feat. Shane & Shane) | Michael W. Smith | Glory Revealed – The Word of God In Worship | 2007 |
Raise Up the Crown (All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name) | Chris Tomlin | Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern | 2004 |
Crown Him | I Am They | Trial & Triumph | 2017 |
Hosanna (Live) | The Belonging Co & Kari Jobe | Awe + Wonder (Live) | 2019 |
Holy, Holy, Holy (We Bow Before Thee) | Shane & Shane | Hymns Live | 2019 |
The King Is Here (Live) | Kim Walker-Smith | Still Believe (Live) | 2012 |
The Highest (Live) | Elevation Worship | For the Honor (Live) [Deluxe Edition] | 2011 |
Hosanna | Planetshakers | Nothing Is Impossible | 2011 |
My King Forever (Live) | Josh Baldwin | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |
Shout To The North | Delirious | Cutting Edge | 1997 |
9AM | |||
Prepare Ye the Way | Michael W. Smith | A New Hallelujah | 2008 |
Hosanna (Reimagined) | Paul Baloche | A Greater Song (Live – 15th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) | 2022 |
My Glorious-Sing To The King (feat. Laura Story) | Eoghan Heaslip | Worship Project H2.14 | 2005 |
Prepare The Way | Jared Anderson | Live From My Church | 2009 |
Here Is Our King | David Crowder Band | A Collision | 2005 |
Marching On (feat. Hillsong Young & Free) | Rend Collective | Good News | 2018 |
Glory to the King | Eddie Kirkland | North Point Live: Here + Now | 2012 |
Make Way | Amber Brooks | Sovereign | 2011 |
The King Is Here (Live) | Corey Voss | Songs of Heaven and Earth (Live) | 2017 |
Crown Him (Majesty) (feat. Kari Jobe) | Chris Tomlin | Burning Lights | 2013 |
King of Kings | Chandler Moore & Essential Worship | Single | 2021 |
All Hail King Jesus (Live) | Bethel Music & Bethany Wohrle | Homecoming (Live) | 2021 |
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to pursue peace.
Whenever we use our words for deceitful speech, revenge, or slander, we are not representing the Lord. This has a way of sending our relationships into a downward spiral of hostility and conflict. In addition, our witness is stained if we claim to know God.
However, when we look to Jesus and are inspired by His example, we learn the way of love. We learn to speak the truth with love. We learn to express our faith in love. We learn to build up the lives of others with words of hope and encouragement.
First Peter 3:10 offers this piece of wisdom, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil, and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
Pursuing Peace is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Light Reflection-Isaiah 53:4 and 5-Prophecy of the Cross
john : April 3, 2023 6:20 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 53:4 and 5.
This is a prophecy about Jesus, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him and by his wounds we are healed.”
This prophecy came to light at the cross, where Jesus died for our sins. At the time this prophecy was written, crucifixion had not been invented. Yet, the prophet wrote about the way Jesus would be pierced for our transgressions.
The cross was the place of the great exchange, where the Savior suffered for our sins so that we could be forgiven by God and restored to a peaceful relationship with God. Our ultimate healing flows from the blood of Jesus shed at the cross.
This Light Reflection inspires us to remember the price that was paid for our redemption in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1sbV63ti6zeEcLIoFtBZd7?si=b4568bd5fd88493e
Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Walk by Faith Not in Fear
john : March 31, 2023 10:48 am : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to walk by faith, not in fear.
Being a witness for Jesus involves taking a public stand for the Gospel. The Apostle Paul was an excellent example of a bold believer.
He said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” He consistently stood for Jesus in crowds that were receptive to his message and crowds that were hostile to his message.
Peter struggled with that kind of boldness at times. After Jesus was arrested, he denied knowing Jesus three times. But later, he would learn from the error of his ways and turn back to Christ.
He encouraged a church under persecution with these words in First Peter 3:14, “Even if you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats, do not be frightened.”
Walking by faith, not in fear is a vital step to a radiant faith that makes a difference in our world.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Light Reflection-Isaiah 56:7b House of Prayer
john : March 31, 2023 10:45 am : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Isaiah 56:7b.
My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
This yearning came to light in the actions of Jesus when He cleansed the temple by overturning the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He expressed these words from Isaiah and then added, “But you are making it a den of robbers.”
Jesus had zeal for the temple to be a place of worship. That is why He cleared the corruption that was evident there. That is not the only temple that He seeks to purify. The Bible tells us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In love, He seeks to purify our faith, so that our body is a place of sincere worship.
Jesus is willing to overturn the idols of our heart and the circumstances of our lives, not for the purpose of destroying us, but to cleanse us and set us free to worship God in spirit and in truth.
This Light Reflection inspires us to offer our bodies to God as houses of worship in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Zechariah 9:9.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
This prophecy came to light on Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on those animals. If Jesus entered on a horse, He would have come as a military leader. But He came with humility and in peace. There was much rejoicing on that day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The crowds shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven.”
Palm Sunday is a celebration to remind us how Jesus comes to us in humility with His offer of grace and peace.
This Light Reflection inspires us to welcome Jesus as our Righteous King and worthy Savior in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com